These activities are suitable for Years 9 to 13. They give students the opportunity to investigate control in electronic circuits using sensors and PIC (peripheral interface controller) technology.
Minimal Mouse
£15.25 per kit
Students build a buggy that will follow a white line. The Mouse is supplied as a kit and its construction involves a reasonable level of manual dexterity, plus soldering skills.
This activity takes 4 – 6 hours to complete.
The following control equipment is available on FREE loan for 1 month from SETPOINT Greater Manchester. Please note that schools will be invoiced for the full cost of the equipment if it is not returned promptly.
Smartcard Control
£60 per kit
Students use a credit card-sized Smartcard to transfer commands from a programmer to a card reader. Programming the card needs no computer and the commands can be input in simple language. The Smartcard reader can be incorporated into student projects and used to drive up to 6 outputs. Smartcards cost £6.25 each.
Chip Factory
£190 per kit
PICs end the need to design a chip to perform a specific function. PICs can be programmed to do exactly what each student wants it to do. The Chip Factory uses common-sense commands to programme an ‘empty’ chip. The chip itself, along with the commands, can then be transferred to a student project. The project boards will drive up to 8 outputs.
PIC chips cost £3.75 each.
Revolution Buggy
£40 per kit
This buggy is a self-contained vehicle driven by a pre-programmed PIC. The Buggy has micro switch touch sensors controlling the motors (so that, for instance, the Buggy reverses when it encounters an obstacle). Programming can be carried out in one of 2 ways:
• use a Chip Factory as above
• use a computer to develop a BASIC programme, connect computer to Buggy with a download cable and transfer the commands to the on-board PIC.
Washing Machine, Bank Safe or Robot Arm
£100 each kit
These models use a programmed PIC to operate their mechanisms. Programming is carried out as above.
For further information or to book a session for your school, please contact:
Adrian Shipway - Tel: 0161 295 2602 Fax: 0161 295 2655
Email:
ashipwaysalford@aol.com or
Marie Roberts - Tel: 0161 295 6374 Fax: 0161 295 2655
Email:
mrobertssalford@aol.com